dracoqueen22 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dracoqueen22) wrote2011-02-24 11:27 am
dracoqueen22) wrote2011-02-24 11:27 am
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Manga Review: Yoneda Kou - "No Touching at All"
... also known as "Doushitemo Furetakanai" or alternately translated as "I Won't Touch You Anyway". This manga is one of those that I first read scanlated by Dangerous Pleasure and I immediately fell in love with, including the special doujinshi extras featuring one of the side characters. The moment I saw it was available for purchase through Amazon, I treated myself to a copy. And I'm not disappointed.
"No Touching At All," is licensed by June publishing, and is 18+ mature. The description on the back/front of the manga reads: On his very first day at a brand-new job, shy Shima is trapped in the elevator with a hungover mess of a guy... who turns out to be his boss! Togawa's prickly exterior definitely puts the rookie recruit on edge, but it doesn't take long before Shima's every waking thought is invaded by his overbearing yet totally thoughtful superior. Will Shima put aside a history of disappointment in order to take a chance on a complicated relationship?
This manga features another gay guy + straight turned gay pairing, but I like the way they approached it. It's also a workplace romance, and a bit on the drama/angsty side if one considers both of their backgrounds. Still, it's a very good read.
It's a very subtle manga. There's a lot of undercurrents in the character's emotions that you wont' find in their dialogue, but you'll understand if you pay attention to the expression on their faces. As a result, it comes off a little as dull and shallow, but in reality, there's a lot of subtlety that makes it so fascinating. I swear, every time I read this I realize something new I didn't get before, especially when I take it slower and actually pay attention to the lovely artwork. There's such a complexity of emotion that I am always so very impressed (and so very envious).
I particularly like the ending as well. Not that I wish to spoil it, but there's a realistic take on the ending. Life gives us the kinds of choices that the manga-ka presents in "No Touching at All" and I enjoyed the way that it was handled. It wasn't fluff and kittens and sparkling rainbows, but it was a happily ever after that was endearing and realistic.
As for the artwork... there aren't any girly guys in here! That's another reason why I love Yoneda Kou's work. They look like men. They aren't burly and covered in chest hair or facial hair, but they are still evidently men. There are a lot of stark, sharp lines and clear images. She gives us just enough background to set the setting, but not so much as to distract from the main event. I love the shading, too. There's something about the way the panels are shaded that really give you a clear indication of the emotion in a particular scene. My only complaint would be that on occasion, it is difficult to tell who is speaking. The speech bubbles sorta wander over a panel and I've found some scenes that required two or three readings to really understand who said what.
On a side note, I definitely recommend checking out the related doujinshi: "After 9 Hours," "After 10 Hours," and "The World With Color" as they focus on Onoda, one of the side characters, and his bumbling attempt at procuring a relationship. It's actually rather funny in parts, and I love the contrast of the characters (and the story lines). These you can still get a hold of through Dangerous Pleasure's website as they are not licensed. "No Touching At All," however, has been removed because it's been licensed. Still, I'd recommend that you buy it. It's definitely worth the money.
"No Touching At All," is licensed by June publishing, and is 18+ mature. The description on the back/front of the manga reads: On his very first day at a brand-new job, shy Shima is trapped in the elevator with a hungover mess of a guy... who turns out to be his boss! Togawa's prickly exterior definitely puts the rookie recruit on edge, but it doesn't take long before Shima's every waking thought is invaded by his overbearing yet totally thoughtful superior. Will Shima put aside a history of disappointment in order to take a chance on a complicated relationship?
This manga features another gay guy + straight turned gay pairing, but I like the way they approached it. It's also a workplace romance, and a bit on the drama/angsty side if one considers both of their backgrounds. Still, it's a very good read.
It's a very subtle manga. There's a lot of undercurrents in the character's emotions that you wont' find in their dialogue, but you'll understand if you pay attention to the expression on their faces. As a result, it comes off a little as dull and shallow, but in reality, there's a lot of subtlety that makes it so fascinating. I swear, every time I read this I realize something new I didn't get before, especially when I take it slower and actually pay attention to the lovely artwork. There's such a complexity of emotion that I am always so very impressed (and so very envious).
I particularly like the ending as well. Not that I wish to spoil it, but there's a realistic take on the ending. Life gives us the kinds of choices that the manga-ka presents in "No Touching at All" and I enjoyed the way that it was handled. It wasn't fluff and kittens and sparkling rainbows, but it was a happily ever after that was endearing and realistic.
As for the artwork... there aren't any girly guys in here! That's another reason why I love Yoneda Kou's work. They look like men. They aren't burly and covered in chest hair or facial hair, but they are still evidently men. There are a lot of stark, sharp lines and clear images. She gives us just enough background to set the setting, but not so much as to distract from the main event. I love the shading, too. There's something about the way the panels are shaded that really give you a clear indication of the emotion in a particular scene. My only complaint would be that on occasion, it is difficult to tell who is speaking. The speech bubbles sorta wander over a panel and I've found some scenes that required two or three readings to really understand who said what.
On a side note, I definitely recommend checking out the related doujinshi: "After 9 Hours," "After 10 Hours," and "The World With Color" as they focus on Onoda, one of the side characters, and his bumbling attempt at procuring a relationship. It's actually rather funny in parts, and I love the contrast of the characters (and the story lines). These you can still get a hold of through Dangerous Pleasure's website as they are not licensed. "No Touching At All," however, has been removed because it's been licensed. Still, I'd recommend that you buy it. It's definitely worth the money.